Manners Matter

Dear Mary Pat,

My friends and I have frequent arguments about where to eat dinner. They always want to go to the same restaurant and it is not very high on my list. It’s okay, say every four to five weeks or so, but not every week like clockwork. They know it’s not my favorite type of food, but they can’t seem to help themselves.

Depressed About Dining,

Fish Creek, WI

Dear Depressed About Dining,

Since you have expressed your feelings to your friends and they still insist on going to this particular restaurant, they obviously are not counting your opinion as one that matters. Even though it’s only a choice of a restaurant, maybe they are in the habit of doing things their way without compromising. If you haven’t gotten their attention with just talking, I think it’s time for a good old-fashioned temper tantrum complete with stomping up and down like a lunatic, raising your voice in a very unmannerly way and staging a food strike. Dramatic? Perhaps, but at least you’ll get to try a new restaurant.

Good luck,

Mary Pat

Dear Mary Pat,

My ex-girlfriend passed by my house while I was working outside on my car and pretended not to see me. I thought this was a little rude, especially since we dated for over three years and we ended things two years ago. I waved, but she was all of a sudden focused on adjusting the radio. What is with that?

Signed,

Passed By

Gills Rock, WI

Dear Passed By,

It was rude of your ex to pretend she didn’t see you, especially since her acting performance was so obvious. I wouldn’t really worry about it, though. She is probably just uncomfortable around you. Perhaps she has some lingering guilt or regrets about your relationship, or perhaps she is just immature. You did the right thing by extending common courtesy; the rest is on her.

Good luck,

Mary Pat